We know that Jesus died and was raised from the dead to give each of us the opportunity for salvation from our sin.  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Colossae he reminds them when they had been joined with Christ. “having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12) Paul also explained this in his letter to the Romans. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3-5) Walking in that “newness of life” is one of the great blessings of being a Christian. We can know that our sins of the past have been washed away and forgotten. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) As a new creation we also have responsibilities to live our new life following His Word and not go back to being that old sinful man.

Today’s reading: Colossians 1-4; Philemon